EPL Talk Podcast Open Thread: Have Your Say About United vs City, and More

In tonight’s special episode of the EPL Talk Podcast, we want to give you — the readers — the chance to get in your thoughts and questions ahead of the show, so we can incorporate as much listener feedback as possible.

Manchester United supporters may not admit it, but we witnessed history being made before our eyes today at Old Trafford. Sure, City hasn’t won anything yet this season, but you have to admit that a victory of this proportion will have dramatic consequences on the rest of the season for both City (to help their title chances) and United (to see what Ferguson does from here to fix things).

There’s so much to talk about from this one game, so we want to get your questions and input to help drive the EPL Talk Podcast discussion. The episode will be released later tonight.

Of course, United against City wasn’t the only game of the weekend. There are plenty of talking points from this, the best Premier League weekend of the season so far.

Related Posts

About The Author

Publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris founded the site in 2005. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who was born and raised in Wales, has lived in Florida since 1984, and supported Swansea City since 1979. Last but not least, he got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.

22 Comments

harryOctober 23, 2011

1st time in 81 years 6 goals have been allowed by the home side at Old Trafford.

First question: What was Evans thinking?
No excuse. None. None whatsoever.

United has been playing poorly since the loss of Cleverley and Vidic. Why was Vidic on the bench? Why is Ferdinand still a part of the starting 11?
Anderson? Anderson needs to be dropped. Plain and simple. In efforts to sure up the midfield, Rooney had to drop back from the start of the game. Rooney is a striker….plain and simple.
Poor game from Nani.

If there is any consolation from this game….it will be that United needs strength in the midfield.

I agree joe. I just wrote up an article so please give me your feedback if it posts. Jonny Evans defending was JUST PLAIN LAZY!! No excuse for that. Vidic is still supposed to be hurt and while I agree about the midfield that defense needs help also. I have never been a fan of Anderson and after today, less so.

-It is simple why United lost today. City is stronger in both in midfield and attack. City have top class players in every position, be it Aguero, Balotelli, Silva, Yaya Toure. Milner played well too. And they can bring the likes of Kolarov, Zabaleta, Nasri, Dzeko off the bench.
-United is really weak in midfield and Ferdinand looks like he doesn’t have much left at united.
-Mancini’s selection was spot. A lot of people were questioning him starting balotelli but he was proven right in the end.Fergie may have wet the bed by not starting Vidic.

On Arsenal
-How long do you think Walcott can hold off Alex oxdale-chamberlain who has impressed in every game he’s played.Or is Wenger waiting for RVP to eventually leave so he can start walcott upfront?

On Liverpool
I wonder how Kartik Krishnaiyer feel right now. He called Liverpool’s midfield the second best after Barcelona. Does he still think that? because that was a ridiculous statement.
-Why didnt’ Liverpool demand Anelka, Sturridge or even Kalou when they were selling Torres to CHelsea? yes they would receive slightly less money(maybe 30-35 million) but at least they wouldnt have to spend 35 million on Carroll.

I am in a pleasant shock. While I can’t claim to be a loyal City supporter, Ive enjoyed watching their confidence grow.

If I have to pick a club to be the one I’ll support, it will be Arsenal. I m still very new to the sport. Seeing the media trash them so much has made me sympathetic to their struggling times.

It’s been an exciting morning.

Since I’ve been paying attention to this sport (And I love it like no other) I’ve noticed that every time there is a negative story or idea going around, the Brit media and many fans tend to blame Americans. The recent example is the relegation scrapping story, which is probably not even true. No one wants that. Why blame Americans for everything that could potentially go wrong? I think our interest helps to strengthen the game.

The resentment towards Americans for United supporters is really more aimed at the Glazers, Dan. Many at United feel that the debt that the Glazers carried into thier purchase of United, and then passed to the club, has some negative effect.

The funny thing is, since that purchase, they have by and large continued to win, and win big.

it just shows u that how bad our midfield is i was watching the status every game cleverly played we played very good football but after he got injured united played theire poor football of the season they draw to basell from a 2 goal lead draw at liverpoll they almost got beaten by norwich and in the city match u can clearly see the need of a playmaker david silva made 4 assistes and it shows u what united r lacking i hope a great midfield player and a young one not sjnider !!!!!!!!! GGMU

Chelsea down two men and losing to QPR, United’s gutting at Old Trafford, Liverpool’s continued mental block against low ranked teams, and Arsenal WINNING? This has been an interesting weekend in sports, and that’s not counting Pujols and Michigan State last night!

My three questions I’m looking answers to are…

1.) Is this Man U’s turning point this season, or will they rebound?
2.) Will Liverpool get the last laugh or will this summer’s transfer’s be JW Henry’s folly?

Obviously there is plenty to ask/ answer from Man U- City, but I am going to focus on the Premiere League in general. With the success of continental players in the Premier League this season (citing examples: Newcastle United in general, Mata, Aguero, etc) and the low relative value of English players in the market, what are the long term ramifications there? Also can Manchester United and Liverpool be criticized for their off season spending on British youth, with this in mind.

It was one of the most one sided officiating I’ve ever seen. QPR got all possible breaks and all contentious decisions went their way. It was rather poor from QPR struggling to hold the lead in the second half while being outplayed and outhussled by 9-man Chelsea. And the only goal that separated the teams was scored from very questionable penalty.

I had no horse in the race, but as a non partisan, it began to feel like QPR got away with a lot, Chelsea very little there were times I thought for sure a QPR player was about to be ejected. On a different note Luiz is quite a cynical fouler. Shades of Suarez.

Why does SAF keep playing Evans? He raped a woman at their Christmas party, is targeted by every opponent, and has a slew of red cards. Smalling and/or Jones are better options. Time to reshuffle the deck. Valencia, Park, Jones, Cleverly and Welbeck need to play much more.

1. Now that City have proven themselves in a BIG way, are they going to run away with the title, leaving United and Chelsea to fight for 2nd?
2. Liverpool disappoints and are off to a slow-ish start, while Spurs continue to roll right along and Arsenal is even stabilizing a bit. Is Liverpool potentially looking at 6th or even 7th with Newcastle involved? And will it take another huge January signing to save the team?